The room emptied as the paramedics whisked Maria away, leaving behind an uneasy silence. Richard found himself alone with Ethan, the boy’s face still marked by uncertainty.

“I’ll call your dad or another family member,” Richard offered, searching for some semblance of control in the unforeseen chaos.

Ethan shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. “It’s just me and Mom.”

The weight of those words settled heavily on Richard’s shoulders. He thought of his own children, grown and scattered across the globe, each leading lives untethered from the struggles unfolding in this small apartment.